Chemical package



Nov. 11, 1969 0. A. HAMILTON CHEMICAL PACKAGE Filed Dec. 26, 19s?DETECTION MEANS LIGHT SOURCE INVENTOR. DONALD AHAMLTON M I AT7JZRNEYSFIG. 4-

United States Patent 3,477,822 CHEMICAL PACKAGE ,7 Donald A. Hamilton,Pasadena, Calif., assignor to Xerox Corporation, Rochester, N.Y., acorporation of New York Filed Dec. 26, 1967, Ser. No. 693,629 Int. Cl.B01l 3/00 U.S. Cl. 23-253 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to automatic chemicalanalysis and, more, particularly, to the automatic chemical analysis ofbody fluids, such as blood, urine, etc.

In copending application Ser. No. 602,025 filed Dec. 15, 1966, there isdisclosed an automated chemical analytical system including a pluralityof different disposable reaction containers, a magazine for the storageof the plurality of different reaction containers, a station for theaddition of sample material to the reaction container, a mixing andincubation station wherein the reaction mixture is maintained in thedisposable container for a period of time suflicient to culminate thechemical reaction, a detection station wherein the analytical data isobtained by monitoring one or more of the physical properties of thereaction mixture, a disposal station wherein the disposable reactioncontainer is eliminated from the system, and means to transport thedisposable reaction container from its storage area in the magazinethrough the system to thedisposal station. The heart of the system isthe disposable reaction container which, in its broadaspects, has atleast one lower compartment for the admixing and reaction of reagentsand sample, and an upper section having a plurtlity of reagent storagechambers in communication with each reaction compartment. At least onewall or end portion of the reaction compartment may be opticallytransparent so that upon completion of the desired chemical reaction thecompartment can be utilized as a cuvette for optical analysis.Optionally, none of the walls need be optically transparent as a'probephotometer such as the one disclosed in Gale 3,164,663, may be insertedinto the reaction mixture and electromagnetic radiation from a sourcepassed through a radiation conductor, the reaction mixture and backthrough the radiation conductor to a detection means, without thenecessity of passing through the compartment walls.

In copending application Ser. No. 602,018 (also filed Dec. 15, 1966)there is disclosed a similar, though conceptually and structurallydifferent, analytical apparatus and system. The disposable reactioncontainer in this application has a flexible lower compartment, i.e. onehaving at least one flexible wall, so that during analysis a lightsource and a detection means pressed against the flexible wall or wallsdefining the lower cuvette(s) will cause the walls to yield a distancesufiicient to define a fixed optical path between the light source andthe detection means 3,477,822 Patented Nov. 11, 1969 through thereaction mixture. The automatic analytical apparatus includes monitoringmeans including a light source and a means responsive to the variationsin light transmittance caused by diiferent concentrations of a knownconstituent in the reaction mixture. The light source and the responsivemeans are pressed against opposite sides of the reaction compartment orcuvette during analysis to define a fixed optical path through thereaction mixture. Thus, there is provided an automatic analyticalapparatus having the optical path defining means built into a detectionstation. Production requirements for the disposable reaction containerare less severe than when the fixed optical path is defined by the rigidwalls of the reaction compartment. The reaction container can be massproduced and disposed of after use without significant cost.

In copending application Ser. No. 645,665, filed June 13, 1967, there isdisclosed a disposable reaction container of improved design.Specifically, the lower section of the the disposable reaction containercomprises positioned walls adapted to channel the material added theretoto a portion of the lower compartment defined by a substantiallyrectangular volume. Optionally, a still lower compartment can beprovided for the storage therein of a magnetic stirring bar so thatthorough mixing of added materials can be achieved through use of urgingmeans magnetically coupled to said magnetic stirring bar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Now, in accordance with the present invention,there is provided a further disposable reaction container for use withthe aforementioned analytical apparatus and systems. As with priordesigns, the disposable reaction container of this invention has aplurality of lower compartments for the admixing and reaction ofreagents and sample material added thereto, and an upper section for thestorage of prepackaged reagents. However, for each lower reactioncompartment there is only provided a single storage chamber incommunication therewith for the storage of a plurality of reagenttablets. This is in contrast to prior designs which specified aplurality of storage chambers for the storage of a plurality of reagenttablets.

In the design of the present invention, each storage chamber in theupper section has a plurality of means in the form of ribs or detentswhich encircle the storage chamber and hold the reagent tablets therein.The ribs are so positioned as to maintain a small gapbetween the reagenttablets whereby each tablet is maiutained in a separate zone within thestorage chamber. The reagent tablets are snapped into place and snuglyheld by said means to prevent premature movement of the prepackagedreagents from their respective storage chambers. By this design, it ispossible to store a plurality of tablets within a single storage chamberand the previously required restraining layer (for example, layer 16 asshown in FIGURE 1 of Ser. No. 645,665) can be omitted withoutundesirable effects. As an additional advantage, less force is necessaryto dislodge the reagent tablet from its storage chamber as no force isrequired to break the re straining layer as such layer is omitted.

In a further embodiment, the walls of each storage chamber are inclinedto the vertical so that it can accommodate a larger diameter tablet atthe bottom portion thereofthan at the top portion thereof. Viewed fromthe outside or in cross-section, the storage chamber. looks like atruncated cone having a hollow interior. The restraining means in theform of the encircling ribs or detents section the storage chamber intovarious zones which are adapted for the storage of reagent tablets ofdifferent diameters.

At least two walls on opposite sides of each reaction compartment areinclined to the vertical whereby material added to the reactioncompartment is caused to flow into the bottom portion thereof. Theinclined walls terminate at a point intermediate the open top portion ofthe lower section and the bottom wall of the reaction compartment, thewalls continuing in a plane perpendicular to a plane passing through theflange portion extending about the outer perimeter of the lower sectionto define a substantially rectangular volume having substantiallyperpendicular and parallel sides, said volume adapted for use as acuvette for optical analysis of the material held therein.

The walls of the reaction compartment can be transparent and rigid, thedistance between one pair of opposite walls defining a fixed opticalpath through the reaction mixture. This fixed optical path or fixeddistance between the pair of opposite walls is equal, within certaintolerances, for each disposable reaction container representing a singlechemical analysis whereby uniformity and reliability of analytical dataand results can be achieved.

In a diflerent design, at least one pair of opposite walls are flexibleso that a fixed optical path to the reaction mixture can be defined bypressing a light source against one wall and a detection means againstthe other wall. The walls yield a distance sufficient to define a fixedoptical path between the light sources and the detection means throughthe reaction mixture. Alternately, higher than atmospheric pressuremeans can be positioned over the upper storage section so that arelatively inert gas, such as nitrogen, can be admitted to the reactioncompartments through holes made in the upper section during sampleaddition. The side walls will be bowed outwardly and can be made topress up against accurately positioned optical path defining means.Thus, in each instance, there is provided within each detection stationmeans to define an optical path which will be maintained constant foreach disposable reaction container representing like chemical testingunits.

Optionally, a small circular compartment can be provided in the lowerportion of each reaction compartment for the storage of a magneticstirring bar which can be rotated during incubation, by meansmagnetically coupled thereto, to thoroughly mix the materials added tothe reaction compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The nature of the invention will bemore easily understood when it is considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded side view of an exemplary disposable reactioncontainer of the present invention, the top. portion of FIGURE 1 beingtaken along the section line 1-1 on FIGURE 2;

.FIGURE 2 is a top view of the disposable container of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the disposable container of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a top view of the lower section of the disposable containerof FIGURE 1; 1

FIGURE 5 is an end view of an alternative disposable container of thepresent invention during one form of optical analysis, an alternativeembodiment storage chamber in the upper section being shown incross-section; and

. FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional top view of an alternative disposablecontainer showing a set of detents with each storage chamber.

Referringto FIGURES 14, there is seen a disposable reaction container 10including a lower section 12 having two separate lower compartments 24and 26 and an upper section 14 having a single storage chamber 16 and18,

respectively, associated with each lower compartment.

Each lower compartment has a bottom wall 28, exterior side walls 30, 32and 34 and interior wall 36.'The wall portions of compartments 24 and 26terminate in a horizontal'flange 38 which encircles the outer perimeterof the two compartments and holds them together as a dis tinct unit.Bottom wall 28 is parallel with horizontal flange 38 with walls 30, 32,34 and 36 being perpendicular thereto, the five walls thus defining arectangular volume having slightly rounded edges and corners. Therectangular volume does not extend all the way from bottom wall 28 toflange 38 but terminates intermediate these two elements. The lines oftermination of the rectangular solid along each wall define a planewhich is parallel to'the plane of horizontal flange 38. From-this planethe walls diverge upwardly and outwardly as at 30', 32, 34' and 36'until they intersect with horizontal flange 38 to define a rectangularopening beneath the plurality of reagent storage chambers when uppersection 14 is in position on flange 38. As shown walls 32' terminate ina short leg 32" just prior to its intersection with flange 38, leg 32"being perpendicular to flange 38. If desired this leg can be omittedwhereby walls 32 will diverge upwardly and outwardly from the plane atthe top of the rectangularvolume until they intersect with flange 38.The shape of the opening is not critical as long as it will notinterfere with the introduction of sample and reagents into the lowercompartment. The sloping walls channel all materials downward toward thebottom of the reaction compartment. Interior walls 36 extend to theplane of horizontal flange 38 and are connected to each other at line 40thereby forming a distinct barrier between c0mpartments 24 and 26.

Resting on flange 38 and barrier line 40 is an upper storage section 14which comprises a unitary member 42 having formed therein a plurality ofreagent storage chambers 16 and 18 in the form of top-hats. In thepresent invention, however, only a single reagent storage chamberadapted to store a plurality of reagent tablets therein is provided foreach lower compartment. A cut-away view of upper section 14 is shown inFIGURE 1 wherein reagent tablets T can be seen as they are held in placewithin the storage chamber. Application of force on the top of thechambers will cause inversion of the top-hat with the resultantdeposition of the stored tablet or tablets into the lower compartment.

Upper section 14 has a flange 44 which encircles the lower perimeterthereof. One side of flange 44 which extends the length of thedisposable reaction container is slightly wider than the border whichencircles the re mainder of the upper storage section 14. Thiswiderportion is indicated at 45. Flange 38 which encircles the upperperimeter of the lower section is also wider along this side. Thus, therectangles with slightly rounded edges formed by flange 38 encirclingthe upper perimeter of lower section 12 and flange 44 encircling thelower perimeter of upper section 14 are of equal size and dimension sothat the two members can be suitably joined to provide a unitarydisposable container. Preferably, each member is formed out of a plasticmaterial which can be heat sealed to the other member to provide anexceptionally strong bond which cannot be broken under normal use.Flanges 38 and 44 are sufficiently wide along thewider portions 45 sothat a code area 46 can be provided hetween inner bond 48 and outer bond40. Any suitable action container, patient number, instructions for theassociated automatic analytical apparatus and system, analyticalresults,etc. Typical codes include binary codingin the form of light and darkareas, magnetic coding, etc.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 1-4, the storage cham.

bers 16 and 18 are shown withmeans in the form of ribs whichfencircleeach storage chamber and holdthe reagent tabletstherein. The ribs are sopositioned as .to maintain a small gap between the reagent tablets. Thisprevents tablet contact which might, over a long period of storage.result in a chemical reaction which might adversely affect the chemicalproperties of the stored reagents. Any number of reagent tablets can bestored in this manner.

The tablets are merely snapped into place and remain there until theapplication of force to the top of the storage chamber causes thetablets to be dispensed therefrom. In the embodiment as shown in FIGURE1, by properly applying force to the storage chamber the first or lowertablet can be dispensed without having to dispense the upper tablet.That is, the force must be just sufiicient to displace the upper tabletfrom its storage zone within the chamber and transfer it to the storagezone previously occupied by the lower tablet. Simultaneously, the lowertablet is ejected from its storage zone into the lower compartment inlower section 12. Optionally, both tablets can be ejectedsimultaneously.

In operation, container is taken from a supply magazine and passed to asample addition station where the proper amount of sample diluted withdistilled water is accomplished by injecting the sample solution througha needle which has been inserted through upper section 14. Preferably,this insertion is made at a point which will not cause undue rotation ofthe supported container. The sample-holding container is then passed toa reagent addition station where the application of a pushing force oneach storage chamber causes the reagent tablet or tablets stored thereinto be emptied into the appropriate compartments. Reagent addition can bedone in one opera tion or it can be done sequentially as is necessary tocomplete the analytical procedure. If done sequentially, the additioncan be done during or after incubation. In essence, reagents can beadded any time prior to final detection as determined by the particularanalytical procedure utilized. Container 10 is passed to a mixingstation where it is maintained for a time sufiicient to ensure thedissolution of all solid materials in the liquid contained in the lowercompartments. The container next passes to an incubation station whereappropriate reaction conditions are imposed upon the materials withinthe container for a time sufficient to complete the desired reactionwhich is then measured at a detection station. It is not necessary thatthe mixing and incubation stations be separate and distinct as it iscontemplated that these operations may be performed in a single station.

At a detection station, light of appropriate wavelength is passed from alight source through the reaction mixture to detection means situated onthe opposite side of the reaction mixture from the light source. Theamount of light transmitted (or, conversely, the amount of lightabsorbed) at the testing wavelength will be representative of the amountof the constituent under analysis in the test solution.

Preferably, the disposable container as shown in the drawings is used inconjunction with a double-beam detection mechanism. In one compartmentthere is providing a solution of the material being tested with all thereagents which will bring the reaction mixture to the desired point foranalysis. The other compartment contains a solution of the materialbeing tested in the absence of reagents. In certain instances, one ormore reagents can be added to this latter solution, provided thereagents do not carry the reaction to completion or do not adverselyaifect, in any other way, the optical analysis. This latter solution iscalled a critically incomplete blan and will enable the analyticalsystem to compensate for the effects of the sample and the reagentsadded thereto. To maintain the detection mechanism in calibration,standard solutions are passed through the detection mechanism atintervals so that the latter can adjust for deviations which occurduring operation.

To dispense with the necessity of passing standard solutions through thedetection mechanism at regular intervals a disposable container havingthree compartments, and the plurality of storage chambers associatedwith each compartment where reagents need be added, is provided for usewith a triple-beam detection mechanism. The standard solution can beinjected into the disposable container at any point in the system priorto optical analysis and will obviate the need for passing distinctdisposable container holding standards through the system.Alternatively, standard-containing tablets can be stored in the uppersection, dispersed into the lower compartment and diluted to give thedesired concentration. The detection mechanism will analyze the standardand adjust for deviations from the known value. The analysis of thematerials in the other two compartments is conducted in accordance withthe teachings of both. If one wishes to conduct an extremely preciseanalysis and take into consideration every possible influencing factor,additional lower compartments can be built into the disposable containerfor the introduction of such factors and the analysis thereof. Thus,adjustments can be made which will compensate for the efiect which thesematerials have upon the particular analysis.

Optionally, light from the light source and light which has passedthrough the reaction mixture can be conducted to the disposablecontainer and the detection means, respectively, through light conduitswhich are pressed against an opposite pair of rigid walls which comprisea portion of the lower compartment. In this embodiment, the optical pathis defined by the distance between the opposite walls of the lowercompartment against. which the light conduits are pressed. Since it ispreferred to maintain this optical path constant for all like analyticalprocedures, strict production requirements must be met in the production of disposable containers having rigid lower compartment walls.

This optional form of optical analysis is shown in FIGURE 5 wherein adisposable reaction container 60 having flexible walls 30 and 34 haslight source means and detection means pressed against opposite walls ofthe lower reaction compartment. Thus, in the detection station asillustrated in FIGURE 5, light conduits 62 and 64 are pressed againstwalls 30 and 34, respectively, of each lower compartment. Conduit 62 isconnected at the opposite end to a light source (not shown) which can befiltered to provide light of a desired wavelength or wavelengths.Conduit 64, directly opposite conduit 62, is connected to an appropriatedetection means (not shown) for monitoring the intensity of the lightpassed through the liquid mixture in the lower compartment. During theactual analysis, conduits 62 and 64 are moved toward each other wherebythe flexible walls of the compartment will deform and assume theposition as shown by the dotted lines thus defining a fixed optical pathL between the interior sides of deformed walls 30 and 34 and through thereaction mixture. By providing a fixed optical path L in this manner, itis easier to mass produce the disposable container as a certain criticalfeature, the optical path, has been eliminated as a strict productionrequirement. The optical path defining means is now built into thedetection station and, as would be expected, significantly lessdetection stations should be produced than disposable containers. Sincea fixed optical path is defined by the detection station and will be thesame for each container passing therethrough, highly accurate andreliable data can be obtained with this system.

It is also contemplated that the disposable reaction container 10 asshown in FIGURE 5 can be used in conjunction with a double-beamdetection mechanism, as described above in relation to FIGURES 1-4.

Alternatively, higher than atmospheric pressure means can be positionedover the upper storage section so that a relatively inert gas, forexample nitrogen, can be admitted to the reaction compartment throughholes made in the upper section during sample addition. The side wallswill be bowed outwardly and can be made to press up against accuratelypositioned optical path defining means. Thus, in this embodiment as inthe preceding embodiment, there is provided within each detectionstation means to define an optical path which will be maintainedconstant for each disposable reaction container representing likechemical testing units.

A further embodiment of the storage chamber and upper section of thepresent invention is shown in crosssection in FIGURE wherein uppersection 14 has a storage chamber 66 having three tablets T therein. Aswith the embodiment Shown in FIGURES 1-4, there are means in the form ofribs which encircle each storage chamber and hold the reagent tablet inplace. Such ribs are shown at 68. This embodiment differs from theearlier embodiment, however, in that the wall of the storage chamber 66is tapered so that larger diameter tablets can be stored in the lowerportion of the storage chamber than at the middle or upper portion. Withprior designs, it was always necessary to store tablets of the samediameter. Yet, for many of the difficult-to-tablet recipes there is anoptimum thickness-to-diameter ratio. Thus, when dealing with adisposable container having uniform diameter pods, some tablets wouldhave to be made very thin, others would be brittle, some flaky orcrumbly because the optimum thickness-to-diameter ratio could not beobtained. This problem is overcome with the embodiment herein disclosedas tablets having different thickness-to-diameter ratios can now bestored within the storage chamber. However, unless intricate apparatusis provided to prevent the dislodgement of the upper tablets, it isnecessary to simultaneously dispense all the tablets into the lowercompartment. That is, the application of force to the top of storagechamber 66 will dislodge the upper tablet from its storage zone and dropit onto the next lower tablet but without necessarily dispensing it intothe lower compartment. Further force, dislodges the middle table, andthe upper tablet resting thereon, from the intermediate zone and dropsit onto the lower tablet. If suflicient force is applied, all threetablets are dispensed into the lower compartment. That is notnecessarily undesirable and in most instances is the general case. Aswith the earlier embodiment, the ribs are so positioned as to maintain asmall gap between the reagent tablets. This prevents tablet contactwhich might result in a chemical reaction which would adversely affectthe chemical properties of the stored reagents.

Referring to FIGURE 6, there is shown an alternative upper section forthe disposable container wherein each storage chamber 70 and 72 has aset of detents or fingers 74 and 76, respectively. These detents areadapted to maintain a reagent tablet in position in a storage zonewithin the storage chamber. As many sets of detents can be provided asare necessary to store the desired plurality of tablets within thestorage chamber. With the exception of the substitution of the detentsfor the encircling ribs, the upper section of FIGURE 6 is otherwisesimilar to the upper section of FIGURES 1-3.

As previously indicated, a magnetic stirring bar may be disposed withinthe reaction compartment for thorough mixing of materials added theretothrough magnetic coupling with properly positioned urging means. Ifdesired the compartment for storage of the magnetic stirring bar can bein the upper storage section, appropriate means being provided to holdthe stirring bar in place until needed. Optionally, a cylindrical recesscan be provided below the bottom wall 66 of each lower compartment andin communication with each reaction compartment for the storage of sucha magnetic stirring bar. The shape of the storage recess is not critcialas long as the magnetic stirring bar can easily drop into the recesswhen the bar is not in use. With the reaction mixture in the lowercompartment, the disposable container is moved to a mixing station wherean external magnetic field is applied, such as by a rotating magneticbar. The rotation of the magnetic bar within the disposable containercreates a vortex and by regulating the rotational speed of the magneticstirring bar it is possible to thoroughly mix all the reagents with thesample as well as to clean the walls of the reaction compartment and thestorage chambers of undissolved reagents. This insures that all reagentsare present in the reaction mixture in proper amounts. Upon completionof the mixing operation, the stirring bar will settle into its storagerecess out of the way of optical analysis which proceeds through theside walls forming the rectangular volume of each reaction compartment.An exemplary stirring bar comprises a small cylindrical section ofstainless steel Wire. Should the magnetic material have a deleteriouseffect on the assay, then the stirring bar should be entirely coveredwith a material which will not. interfere in the analytical procedure,such as a complete coating of glass or inert plastic.

While the invention has been described with reference to its preferredembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teaching of the inventionwithout departing from its essential teachings.

What is claimed is:

1. A disposable reaction container comprising a lower section having atleast one compartment for the admixing of materials added thereto, anupper section securely mounted on said lower section and having .asingle reagent storage chamber adjacent each of said compartments, eachof said storage chambers being adapted for the storage of a plurality ofreagent tablets, restraining means to prevent the premature movement oftableted reagents from each of said storage chambers.

2. The disposablereaction container of claim 1 wherein said restrainingmeans comprise a plurality of ribs encircling each storage chamber, saidribs adapted to define separate storage zones within each storagechamber wherein separate reagent tablets may be stored spaced from othertablets stored therein.

3. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein each storagechamber is substantially cylindrical.

4. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein each storagechamber is in the form of a truncated cone, the lower portion of whichhas a greater diameter than the upper portion thereof.

5. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein said restrainingmeans comprises a plurality of sets of detents extending into saidstorage chamber, each set adapted to support a reagent tablet spacedfrom other reagent tablets stored therein.

6. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein thelower sectionhas a plurality of separate admixing compartments.

7. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein said uppersection and said lower section are heat sealed together.

. 8. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein said lowersection has a flange which encircles the upper perimeter thereof, saidupper section has a flange which encircles the lower perimeter of saidreagent storage chambers and is wider along one longitudinal portion,the area circumscribed by said upper section flange being substantiallyrectangular and substantially equal to the area circumscribed by saidlower section flange; said upper section and said lower section beingsecurely mounted together; and said wider portion being adapted for thestorage of information thereon.

9. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein said uppersection has a flange which encircles the lower perimeter of said uppersection and surrounds the reagent storage chambers, said upper sectionflange being wider along one longitudinal portion and adapted for thestorage of information thereon.

10. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein saidrestraining means comprise a plurality of r1 s.

11. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein at least oneset of opposite walls defining a portion of each compartment isoptically transparent so that upon completion of the desired chemicalreaction each compartment can be utilized as a cuvette for opticalanalysis.

12. The disposable reaction container of claim 11 wherein each set ofoptically transparent opposite walls is parallel to the longitudinalaxis of said container.

13. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein the side Wallsof each admixing compartment are suificiently flexible so they willyield when pressed against by cooperating members in a detection stationto define a fixed optical path between a light source and a detectionmeans through a reaction mixture within said admixing compartments.

14. The disposable container of claim 13 wherein said side walls areparallel to the longitudinal axis of said container.

15. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein the side wallsof each admixing compartment are sufiiciently flexible so they willyield when greater than atmospheric pressure is applied to the internalportion of each admixing compartment.

16. The disposable container of claim 15 wherein said side walls areparallel to the longitudinal axis of said container.

17. The disposable reaction container comprising a lower section havingat least one compartment for the admixing of materials added thereto, anupper section securely mounted on said lower section and having a singlereagent storage chamber adjacent each of said admixing compartments, andrestraining means to prevent the premature movement of tableted reagentsfrom each of said storage chambers, said restraining means encirclingeach storage chamber and sectioning each storage chamber into aplurality of storage zones, each zone adapted for the storage of atleast one reagent tablet.

18. The disposable reaction container of claim 17 wherein saidrestraining means comprises a plurality of sets of detents extendinginto said storage chamber.

19. A disposable reaction container comprising a lower section having aplurality of separate compartments for the admixing of materials addedthereto, said lower section having a flange which encircles the upperperimeter of said plurality of admixing compartments, the lower portionof each compartment comprising a bottom wall and parallel andperpendicular side walls which define a substantially rectangularvolume, said rectangular volume terminating in a plane parallel to saidflange, each of said parallel and perpendicular side walls divergingupwardly and outwardly from said plane substantially until each of saidwalls intersect with said flange, an upper storage section securelymounted on said lower section, said upper section having a singlereagent storage chamber in communication with each of said plurality ofadmixing compartments and adapted for the storage of a plurality ofreagent tablets therein, and restraining means encircling each of said,storage chambers to section each chamber into a plurality of storagezones and prevent the premature movement of tableted reagents the'iefrom.

20. The disposable reaction container of claim 19 wherein saidrestraining means comprise a plurality of ribs.

2 1. The disposable reaction container of claim 19 wherein saidrestraining means comprises a plurality of sets'of detents extendinginto each of said storage chambers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,036,894 5/1962 Forestiere23-230 3,145,838 8/1964 Van Deusen 20647 3,326,636 6/1967 Bennett et al.20647 MORRIS 0. WOLK, Primary Examiner R. E. SERWIN, Assistant ExaminerU.S. C1. X.R.

